US20040160498A1 - Printer solid ink stick removal access feature - Google Patents
Printer solid ink stick removal access feature Download PDFInfo
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- US20040160498A1 US20040160498A1 US10/368,808 US36880803A US2004160498A1 US 20040160498 A1 US20040160498 A1 US 20040160498A1 US 36880803 A US36880803 A US 36880803A US 2004160498 A1 US2004160498 A1 US 2004160498A1
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- ink stick
- key plate
- removal tool
- ink
- plate opening
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- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
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- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 13
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007788 roughening Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17593—Supplying ink in a solid state
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to phase change ink printers, and the apparatus and method for feeding ink into the printer, and particularly relates to key plate openings for feeding solid ink sticks into the printer.
- Ink jet printers eject ink onto an image receiving medium, such as paper or an image drum, in controlled patterns of closely spaced dots that form an image.
- image receiving medium such as paper or an image drum
- multiple arrays of ink jet channels are used, with each array being supplied ink of a different color from an associated ink supply.
- thermal-type ink jet print heads which eject a drop by heating the ink to form a bubble
- impulse-type ink jet print heads which eject a drop by compressing a chamber
- Solid ink or phase change ink printers conventionally receive ink in a solid form and convert the ink to a liquid form for jetting onto the image receiving medium.
- the printer receives the solid ink either as pellets or as ink sticks in a feed channel.
- the solid ink sticks are either gravity fed or spring loaded through the feed channel toward a heater plate.
- the heater plate melts the solid ink into its liquid form.
- the sticks are either gravity fed or spring loaded into a feed channel and pressed against a heater plate to melt the solid ink into its liquid form.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,402 for a Solid Ink Feed System issued Mar.
- the present invention provides a feature for removing an ink stick from a feed channel of a solid ink phase change ink printer.
- An ink stick feed system incorporating an aspect of the invention includes a channel for conveying ink sticks to a melt plate, and a key plate substantially covering at least a portion of the channel, and an ink stick.
- the key plate has a key plate opening through the key plate to permit ink sticks having a particular perimeter shape to pass through the key plate into the channel. Access is provided in a clearance area between the key plate opening and an ink stick positioned in the key plate opening. The clearance area between the ink stick and the key plate opening is for removing the ink stick from the ink delivery channel through the key plate opening.
- the key plate opening has substantially the same perimeter shape as the ink stick perimeter, except that at least one section of the key plate opening has an outwardly directed clearance area. The outwardly directed clearance area provides an access opening for inserting a removal tool into the channel to engage a portion of an ink stick in the channel that is aligned with the key plate opening.
- a key plate assembly incorporating an aspect of the invention includes a key plate with a key plate opening through it.
- the key plate has two major surfaces.
- the key plate opening has a particular perimeter shape at one of the surfaces of the key plate, and an enlarged version of that perimeter shape at the other surface of the key plate.
- At least one section of the key plate opening at the first surface of the key plate, with the smaller version of the perimeter shape, has an outwardly directed clearance area.
- a removal tool has at least one leg that has a cross section smaller than the clearance area, so that the removal tool leg can be inserted through the clearance area to -engage in an ink stick feed channel a portion of an ink stick that is aligned with the key plate opening
- a method of removing an ink stick from a feed channel includes positioning the ink stick in the ink feed channel adjacent a keyed opening through a key plate that substantially covers the feed channel.
- the keyed opening has a perimeter shape substantially the same as the perimeter shape of the ink stick.
- a removal tool is inserted through a clearance area in the perimeter of the keyed opening until the removal tool is alongside a portion of the ink stick. The removal tool engages the portion of the ink stick, so that removing the removal tool from the clearance area while continuing to engage the ink stick causes the ink stick to pass through the keyed opening.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a phase change printer with the printer ink access cover closed.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the phase change printer with the ink access cover open, showing a key plate covering the ink feed channels, and a solid ink stick in position to be loaded through a key plate opening into a feed channel.
- FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a feed channel of a solid ink feed system taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a key plate opening.
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the key plate opening shown in FIG. 5, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 3 with the key plate opening of FIGS. 5 and 6.
- FIG. 8 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 9 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line 9 - 9 of FIG. 3 with the different key plate opening of FIG. 8.
- FIG. 10 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 11 is a top view of yet a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 12 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with a different ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 13 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and one embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and another embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet another embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 16 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 17 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a different multiple-legged ink stick removal tool.
- FIG. 19 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 1 shows a solid ink, or phase change, ink printer 10 that includes an outer housing having a top surface 12 and side surfaces 14 .
- a user interface display such as a front panel display screen 16 , displays information concerning the status of the printer, and user instructions. Buttons 18 or other control elements for controlling operation of the printer are adjacent the user interface window, or may be at other locations on the printer.
- An ink jet printing mechanism (not shown) is contained inside the housing. Such a printing mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,191, entitled Surface Application System, to Jones et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,604, entitled Ink Jet Printer Architecture and Method, to Adams et al.
- An ink feed system delivers ink to the printing mechanism.
- the ink feed system is contained under the top surface of the printer housing.
- the top surface of the housing includes a hinged ink access cover 20 that opens as shown in FIG. 2, to provide the user access to the ink feed system.
- the ink access cover 20 is attached to an ink load linkage element 22 so that when the printer ink access cover 20 is raised, the ink load linkage 22 slides and pivots to an ink load position.
- An exemplary interaction of the ink access cover and the ink load linkage element is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,903 for an Ink Feed System, issued Jan. 19, 1999 to Crawford et al., though with some differences noted below.
- opening the ink access cover reveals a key plate 26 having keyed openings 24 .
- Each keyed opening 24 A, 24 B, 24 C, 24 D provides access to an insertion end of one of several individual feed channels 28 of the solid ink feed system (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
- each feed channel 28 delivers ink sticks 30 of one particular type or color to a corresponding melt plate 32 .
- Each feed channel has a longitudinal feed direction from the insertion end of the feed channel (near the key plate opening) to the melt end of the feed channel.
- the melt end of the feed channel is adjacent the melt plate 32 .
- the melt plate melts the solid ink stick into a liquid form.
- the melted ink drips through a gap 33 between the melt end of the feed channel and the melt plate, and into a liquid ink reservoir (not shown).
- the feed channels 28 have longitudinal dimension from the insertion end to the melt end, and a lateral dimension, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension.
- Each feed channel in the particular embodiment illustrated includes a push block 34 driven by a driving force or element, such as a constant force spring 36 , to push the individual ink sticks along the length of the longitudinal feed channel toward the melt plates 32 that are at the melt end of each feed channel.
- the tension of the constant force spring 36 drives the push block toward the melt end of the feed channel.
- the ink load linkage 22 is attached to the push block 34 by a yoke 38 .
- the yoke 38 extends through an elongate opening 25 in the key plate.
- the attachment to the ink load linkage 22 pulls the push block 34 toward the insertion end of the feed channel.
- the constant force spring 36 can be a flat spring with is face oriented along a substantially vertical axis.
- an exemplary ink stick feed channel 28 includes the feed channel guide rail 54 that interacts with an ink stick guide element 56 formed in the lower portion of the ink stick body to guide the ink stick 30 along the length of the feed channel 28 .
- An upper feed channel guide rail 58 slidingly engages an upper side edge 60 of the ink stick 30 , to balance and guide the ink stick along the length of the feed channel 28 .
- the upper feed channel guide rail can be formed as part of the key plate 26 that covers the feed channel, or as a part of the feed channel body.
- a color printer typically uses four colors of ink (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black).
- Ink sticks 30 of each color are delivered through a corresponding individual one of the feed channels 28 .
- the operator of the printer exercises care to avoid inserting ink sticks of one color into a feed channel for a different color.
- Ink sticks may be so saturated with color dye that it may be difficult for a printer user to tell by color alone which color is which. Cyan, magenta, and black ink sticks in particular can be difficult to distinguish visually based on color appearance.
- the keyed openings 24 through the key plate 26 aid the printer user in ensuring that only ink sticks of the proper color are inserted into each feed channel.
- Each keyed opening 24 of the key plate has a unique perimeter shape.
- the ink sticks 30 of the color for that feed channel have a perimeter shape corresponding to the shape of the keyed opening.
- the ink stick and the keyed opening have substantially identical perimeter shapes, so that the keyed openings and corresponding ink stick shapes exclude from each ink feed channel ink sticks of all colors except the ink sticks of the proper color for that feed channel.
- the key plate 26 has an outer major surface 40 and an inner major surface 42 , separated by a thickness T.
- the perimeter of the keyed key plate opening 24 in the key plate 26 has a chamfered edge 44 across this thickness T to guide the ink stick 30 into the feed chute 28 .
- the shaped key plate opening 24 has substantially the same perimeter shape through both major surfaces of the key plate 26 , but with a larger perimeter shape at the outer major surface 40 than at the inner major surface 42 .
- the perimeter of the chamfered key plate opening 24 at the outer major surface 40 is substantially the same shape as the perimeter shape of the ink stick to be inserted, but enlarged to easily guide the shaped ink stick 30 into the opening.
- the chamfered edge 44 narrows the perimeter of the opening 24 so that at the inner major surface of 42 the key plate, the opening 24 is closer to the size of the ink stick 30 .
- the perimeter shape of the key plate opening 24 at the outer major surface 40 is substantially concentric with the perimeter shape of the key plate opening at the inner major surface 42 . The amount of clearance in the gap 46 between the ink stick 30 and the edge of each opening 24 at the inner major surface of the key plate can thus be minimized to complement the various shapes selected to differentiate between the various color ink sticks.
- the chamfer of the edge 44 is usually between 7.5 to 30 degrees relative to vertical, but preferably about 15 degrees (with “vertical” as the direction perpendicular to the major surfaces 40 , 42 of the key plate 26 ).
- the thickness T of the key plate 26 is preferably at least 2.5 mm.
- a clearance area 48 provides access between a section of the ink stick 30 and the key plate opening 24 to permit removal of the ink stick from the feed channel through the key plate opening 24 .
- the clearance area has an area that is small relative to either the area encompassed by the key plate opening, or the area encompassed by the perimeter of the ink stick (which may be the same as the area of the top surface of the ink stick).
- the area of the clearance area is less than 1 ⁇ 8 (12.5%) of the area of the top surface of the ink stick.
- the key plate opening 24 has an outwardly directed clearance area 48 in at least one section of the opening perimeter.
- this outwardly directed clearance area 48 is formed in a keyed opening having a chamfered edge 44 around most of the perimeter of the keyed opening, except for one or more sections of the key plate opening perimeter having a non-chamfered straight edge.
- the chamfered edge 44 of the key plate opening perimeter forms at least a majority of the perimeter of the key plate opening 24 .
- the outwardly directed clearance area 48 forms a small portion of the perimeter of the opening 24 .
- the non-chamfered or straight edge forming the clearance area 48 has an angle of 0 degrees relative to vertical (or nearly 0 degrees allowing for some manufacturing draft angle or tolerances), so that it is substantially perpendicular to the outer major surface 40 and the inner major surface 42 of the key plate 26 .
- the enlarged perimeter of the opening 24 at the outer major surface 40 of the key plate 26 in the section forming the clearance area 48 thus coincides with the perimeter of the opening 24 at the inner major surface 42 of the key plate 26 at that section of the key plate opening.
- the clearance area formed with the non-chamfered edge in the section of the key plate opening perimeter at the inner major surface 42 of the key plate 26 provides a clearance for an ink stick removal tool.
- FIG. 7 Another portion of the access means for removing the ink stick from the feed channel through the key plate opening 24 is an ink stick removal tool.
- An exemplary ink stick removal tool 50 having a single leg 52 is shown in FIG. 7.
- the removal tool leg 52 is substantially straight.
- the removal tool leg 52 is inserted into the clearance area 48 between the ink stick 30 and the non-chamfered edge section of the opening 24 .
- the clearance area 48 is in a section of the key plate opening perimeter that is on the opposite side of the key plate opening from the upper guide rail 58 .
- the ink stick is positioned in the feed channel directly beneath the key plate opening so that the ink stick is vertically aligned with the key plate opening.
- the leg 52 of the ink stick removal tool is inserted through the clearance area until a portion of the removal tool leg, at or near its distal end, is adjacent a portion of the ink stick. In an example, the distal end of the leg is adjacent a side surface 64 of the ink stick.
- the inner surface 62 of the removal tool leg 52 at or near the distal end of the leg, is pressed against the side surface 64 of the ink stick 30 , pressing the upper edge 60 of the opposite side of the ink stick against another surface, such as the upper feed channel guide rail 58 .
- the distal end of the ink stick removal tool leg 52 is configured to engage a portion of the ink stick.
- the inner surface 62 of the removal tool leg can be roughened to provide enhanced frictional engagement with the ink stick 30 .
- the upper feed channel guide rail 58 has a low friction surface.
- the operator need not lift the ink stick entirely through the key plate opening 24 using the removal tool 50 .
- the operator need use the removal tool to lift the ink stick only until a sufficient amount of the ink stick is exposed above the key plate 26 that the operator can grasp the exposed portion with the operator's fingers, or with another tool.
- each clearance area 48 is formed by providing a section of the perimeter of the key plate opening with a non-chamfered straight edge.
- two clearance areas are formed, one each on opposite sides of the key plate opening.
- a small section of the upper feed channel rail 58 may be omitted to accommodate the second clearance area in feed channels that have such an upper feed channel guide rail.
- the two legs 52 of the removal tool may be separate elements that the operator manipulates separately, or they may be joined at their proximal ends (opposite the distal ends). After considering the following material, those skilled in the art will recognize appropriate arrangements for either joining the two legs, or having them separate.
- the perimeter edge of the key plate opening 24 is formed with a straight (non-chamfered) edge around the entire perimeter.
- one or more clearance areas are provided by outwardly projecting relief areas, each in a section of the perimeter of the key plate opening.
- the sections of the perimeter forming the clearance areas are small relative to the perimeter, to minimize the impact of the clearance areas on the keying function provided by the perimeter shape of the key plate opening 24 .
- the perimeter shape of the ink stick itself does not include projections corresponding to the clearance areas.
- FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 show rectangular clearance areas, after reading the present description, those skilled in the art will recognize that the clearance areas can be provided with other shapes.
- the clearance areas may be triangular or semi-circular.
- the cross section of the legs 52 of the removal tool (see FIGS. 7 and 9) can be shaped to match the shape of the clearance areas 48 .
- the clearance areas 48 providing access between the ink stick and the key plate opening need not be positioned directly opposite one another.
- the clearance areas are positioned diagonally opposite one another.
- other combinations of positions can also be used.
- the clearance areas 48 that provide access between the ink stick and the key plate opening can be formed by indentations in the lateral perimeter shape of the ink stick body.
- the clearance areas 48 can be formed by indentations in the lateral perimeter shape of the ink stick body.
- FIGS. 13 - 17 show simplified exemplary feed channels 28 with substantially flat bottom surfaces on which substantially block-shaped ink sticks pass.
- FIG. 13 shows a removal tool leg in which the inner surface of the removal tool leg 52 has a roughened surface formed by protrusions such as ridges 66 to grip the side surface of the ink stick.
- each protrusion has an angled face 68 directed toward the distal end of the removal tool leg, and a straight face 69 , substantially perpendicular to the removal tool leg.
- the roughened surface of the removal tool leg can also be formed with multiple bumps projecting from the surface of the removal tool leg, by raised lines, or by indented scoring on the leg surface.
- grit or other roughening material can be applied to the inner surface of the removal tool leg in lieu of the protrusions 66 .
- the ink stick removal tool 50 implementation shown in FIG. 14 includes a projection or foot 70 at the distal end of the removal tool leg 52 .
- the foot 70 engages the edge of the bottom surface of the ink stick. The operator then lifts the removal tool to raise the ink stick through the key plate opening.
- the operator pulls upward on the removal tool. Leverage causes the opposite side of the ink stick to engage another surface, such as a surface of the ink stick feed system. For example, the opposite side of the ink stick slidingly engages the upper feed channel guide rail 58 .
- the operator need not lift the ink stick entirely through the key plate opening 24 using the removal tool 50 . The operator need use the removal tool to lift the ink stick only until a sufficient amount of the ink stick is exposed above the key plate 26 that the operator can grasp the exposed portion with the operator's fingers, or with another tool.
- FIGS. 15 and 16 Examples of using ink stick removal tools with multiple legs are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Such multiple legged removal tools are used with a key plate having a clearance area in each of multiple sections of the perimeter of the key plate opening.
- a removal tool with two legs 52 is used with a key plate opening having at least two clearance areas in the perimeter of the key plate opening.
- the clearance areas in the perimeter of the key plate opening are on opposite sides of the key plate opening.
- Such positioning permits the two legs, when inserted through the clearance areas and into the feed channel 28 to be pressed toward one another to grip the ink stick 30 between them.
- the clearance areas are directly opposite one another across the key plate opening 24 .
- the distal ends of the legs 52 are provided with elements for engaging the ink stick, such as protrusions 66 (FIG. 13) or a perpendicular foot 70 (FIG. 16).
- protrusions 66 FIG. 13
- perpendicular foot 70 FIG. 16
- FIG. 17 An example of joined removal tool legs 52 is shown in FIG. 17.
- the proximal ends of the legs 52 are shaped toward one another and joined together at a connection 72 .
- the legs 52 are curved toward one another and merged into a common trunk 74 .
- the trunk 74 and legs 52 are formed of a resilient rigid material, such as a metal or a rigid plastic, so that the legs can be pressed toward one another to grip the ink stick.
- a resilient rigid material such as a metal or a rigid plastic
- the distal ends of the legs move toward one another.
- the connection between the legs may be a mechanical connection such as a hinge.
- mechanical mechanisms can be used to move the legs toward and/or away from one another.
- a mechanical clamp may be incorporated to selectively apply pressure to the outer surfaces of the legs, or a mechanism placed between the legs may draw the legs toward one another.
- a gripping mechanism for the distal end of each leg is shown in FIG. 17. Rounded bumps 76 on the inner surface of the distal ends of the legs help to grip the ink stick when the legs 52 are pressed against the ink stick
- the ink stick removal tool 50 can have more than two legs, as shown in the example of FIG. 18.
- This exemplary ink stick removal tool has 3 legs 52 attached to an upper T-frame trunk 74 .
- a first leg is opposite a second leg to grip opposite sides of an ink stick.
- a third leg is oriented to engage a surface of the ink stick perpendicular to the sides gripped by the first and second legs.
- the legs fit through clearance areas between the ink stick and the perimeter of the key plate opening to surround the ink stick.
- some ink sticks have perimeter shapes that are significantly non-rectangular.
- the perimeter shape may be triangular, circular, or some other shape.
- a removal tool for such non-rectangular ink sticks may have legs arranged to accommodate the perimeter shape of the ink stick.
- a removal tool for a triangular or circular ink stick may have three legs arranged at 120-degree intervals.
- Ink sticks can also be removed from the feed channel 28 through the key plate opening 24 by inserting the distal end of a removal tool leg 52 into the ink stick so that there is sufficient frictional engagement between the removal tool leg and the ink stick that when the removal tool is lifted, the ink stick rises with the removal tool leg.
- a removal tool 50 may have a single leg 52 provided with a pointed distal end, so that pressing the removal tool longitudinally against the top surface of the ink stick 30 causes the removal tool leg to penetrate the ink stick.
- the ink stick 30 may include a relief area for receiving and engaging the ink stick removal tool.
- a small blind cavity or a through cavity or hole 77 can be included in the ink stick to facilitate ink stick removal by serving as a friction engagement feature for the top surface penetration removal tool.
- the cavity 77 can extend through at least one surface of the ink stick body.
- the cavity may extend through only a portion of the ink stick body, or it can extend through the entire thickness of the ink stick body.
- the cavity may be a void entirely internal to the ink stick body, not extending through any of the surfaces of the ink stick.
- Operator instructions may inform the machine operator into which portion of the ink stick body the removal tool should be inserted.
- a score or other surface marking on the surface of the ink stick may identify the location of the internal void.
- Surface roughening elements such as grit, scoring, or projections on the surface of the distal end of the removal tool leg provide additional friction between the removal tool engagement surface and the ink stick.
- the projections may completely encircle the removal tool leg, or they may encompass only a portion of the circumference of the removal tool leg.
- spiral projections 78 along the removal tool leg allow the operator to screw the removal tool leg 52 into the ink stick. After the operator has inserted the removal tool leg into the ink stick, the operator lifts the removal tool upward. The frictional engagement between the removal tool leg and the ink stick causes the ink stick to rise with the removal tool.
- the removal tool leg 52 may have any of several cross-sectional shapes, including circular, rectangular, square, triangular, etc.
Abstract
Description
- Reference is made to the following commonly-assigned copending U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 10/135,085 (Attorney Docket No. D/A2033Q), filed on Apr. 29, 2002, entitled “Multiple Segment Keying for Solid Ink Stick Feed,” by Brent R. Jones et al.; Ser. No. 10/135,078 (Attorney Docket No. D/A1664Q), filed on Apr. 29, 2002, entitled “Guide for Solid Ink Stick Feed,” by Brent R. Jones et al.; and Ser. No. 10/159,883 (Attorney Docket No. D/A2033Q), filed on May 30, 2002, entitled “Load and Feed Apparatus for Solid Ink,” by Brent R. Jones; the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference into this application.
- The present invention relates generally to phase change ink printers, and the apparatus and method for feeding ink into the printer, and particularly relates to key plate openings for feeding solid ink sticks into the printer.
- Ink jet printers eject ink onto an image receiving medium, such as paper or an image drum, in controlled patterns of closely spaced dots that form an image. To form color images, multiple arrays of ink jet channels are used, with each array being supplied ink of a different color from an associated ink supply. Both thermal-type ink jet print heads, which eject a drop by heating the ink to form a bubble, and impulse-type ink jet print heads, which eject a drop by compressing a chamber, are common.
- Solid ink or phase change ink printers conventionally receive ink in a solid form and convert the ink to a liquid form for jetting onto the image receiving medium. The printer receives the solid ink either as pellets or as ink sticks in a feed channel. With solid ink sticks, the solid ink sticks are either gravity fed or spring loaded through the feed channel toward a heater plate. The heater plate melts the solid ink into its liquid form. In a printer that receives solid ink sticks, the sticks are either gravity fed or spring loaded into a feed channel and pressed against a heater plate to melt the solid ink into its liquid form. U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,402 for a Solid Ink Feed System, issued Mar. 31, 1998 to Rousseau et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,903 for an Ink Feed System, issued Jan. 19, 1999 to Crawford et al. describe exemplary systems for delivering solid ink sticks into a phase change ink printer.
- The present invention provides a feature for removing an ink stick from a feed channel of a solid ink phase change ink printer.
- An ink stick feed system incorporating an aspect of the invention includes a channel for conveying ink sticks to a melt plate, and a key plate substantially covering at least a portion of the channel, and an ink stick. The key plate has a key plate opening through the key plate to permit ink sticks having a particular perimeter shape to pass through the key plate into the channel. Access is provided in a clearance area between the key plate opening and an ink stick positioned in the key plate opening. The clearance area between the ink stick and the key plate opening is for removing the ink stick from the ink delivery channel through the key plate opening. In one example, the key plate opening has substantially the same perimeter shape as the ink stick perimeter, except that at least one section of the key plate opening has an outwardly directed clearance area. The outwardly directed clearance area provides an access opening for inserting a removal tool into the channel to engage a portion of an ink stick in the channel that is aligned with the key plate opening.
- A key plate assembly incorporating an aspect of the invention includes a key plate with a key plate opening through it. The key plate has two major surfaces. The key plate opening has a particular perimeter shape at one of the surfaces of the key plate, and an enlarged version of that perimeter shape at the other surface of the key plate. At least one section of the key plate opening at the first surface of the key plate, with the smaller version of the perimeter shape, has an outwardly directed clearance area. A removal tool has at least one leg that has a cross section smaller than the clearance area, so that the removal tool leg can be inserted through the clearance area to -engage in an ink stick feed channel a portion of an ink stick that is aligned with the key plate opening
- A method of removing an ink stick from a feed channel includes positioning the ink stick in the ink feed channel adjacent a keyed opening through a key plate that substantially covers the feed channel. The keyed opening has a perimeter shape substantially the same as the perimeter shape of the ink stick. A removal tool is inserted through a clearance area in the perimeter of the keyed opening until the removal tool is alongside a portion of the ink stick. The removal tool engages the portion of the ink stick, so that removing the removal tool from the clearance area while continuing to engage the ink stick causes the ink stick to pass through the keyed opening.
- A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained and understood by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals denote like elements as between the various figures of the drawings. The drawings, briefly described below, are not to scale.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a phase change printer with the printer ink access cover closed.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the phase change printer with the ink access cover open, showing a key plate covering the ink feed channels, and a solid ink stick in position to be loaded through a key plate opening into a feed channel.
- FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a feed channel of a solid ink feed system taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line4-4 of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a key plate opening.
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the key plate opening shown in FIG. 5, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line7-7 of FIG. 3 with the key plate opening of FIGS. 5 and 6.
- FIG. 8 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 9 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel taken along line9-9 of FIG. 3 with the different key plate opening of FIG. 8.
- FIG. 10 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 11 is a top view of yet a different key plate opening, with an ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 12 is a top view of a different key plate opening, with a different ink stick inserted.
- FIG. 13 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and one embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and another embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet another embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 16 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 17 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a different multiple-legged ink stick removal tool.
- FIG. 19 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed channel showing an ink stick and yet a different embodiment of an ink stick removal tool present.
- In the following detailed description, numeric ranges are provided for various aspects of the embodiments described. These recited ranges are examples only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims hereof. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the embodiments. These recited materials are exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims hereof. In addition, the figures are not drawn to scale for ease of understanding the exemplary implementations.
- FIG. 1 shows a solid ink, or phase change,
ink printer 10 that includes an outer housing having atop surface 12 and side surfaces 14. A user interface display, such as a frontpanel display screen 16, displays information concerning the status of the printer, and user instructions.Buttons 18 or other control elements for controlling operation of the printer are adjacent the user interface window, or may be at other locations on the printer. An ink jet printing mechanism (not shown) is contained inside the housing. Such a printing mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,191, entitled Surface Application System, to Jones et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,604, entitled Ink Jet Printer Architecture and Method, to Adams et al. An ink feed system delivers ink to the printing mechanism. The ink feed system is contained under the top surface of the printer housing. The top surface of the housing includes a hinged ink access cover 20 that opens as shown in FIG. 2, to provide the user access to the ink feed system. - In the particular printer shown, the ink access cover20 is attached to an ink
load linkage element 22 so that when the printer ink access cover 20 is raised, theink load linkage 22 slides and pivots to an ink load position. An exemplary interaction of the ink access cover and the ink load linkage element is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,903 for an Ink Feed System, issued Jan. 19, 1999 to Crawford et al., though with some differences noted below. As seen in FIG. 2, opening the ink access cover reveals akey plate 26 having keyedopenings 24. Eachkeyed opening individual feed channels 28 of the solid ink feed system (see FIGS. 3 and 4). - As seen in FIG. 3, each
feed channel 28 delivers ink sticks 30 of one particular type or color to acorresponding melt plate 32. Each feed channel has a longitudinal feed direction from the insertion end of the feed channel (near the key plate opening) to the melt end of the feed channel. The melt end of the feed channel is adjacent themelt plate 32. The melt plate melts the solid ink stick into a liquid form. The melted ink drips through agap 33 between the melt end of the feed channel and the melt plate, and into a liquid ink reservoir (not shown). Thefeed channels 28 have longitudinal dimension from the insertion end to the melt end, and a lateral dimension, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. Each feed channel in the particular embodiment illustrated includes apush block 34 driven by a driving force or element, such as aconstant force spring 36, to push the individual ink sticks along the length of the longitudinal feed channel toward themelt plates 32 that are at the melt end of each feed channel. The tension of theconstant force spring 36 drives the push block toward the melt end of the feed channel. In a manner similar to that described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/159,883 (Attorney Docket No. D/A2033Q), filed on May 30, 2002, entitled “Load and Feed Apparatus for Solid Ink,” by Brent R. Jones, theink load linkage 22 is attached to thepush block 34 by ayoke 38. Theyoke 38 extends through anelongate opening 25 in the key plate. When the ink load linkage is raised to reveal thekey plate 26, the attachment to theink load linkage 22 pulls thepush block 34 toward the insertion end of the feed channel. In the implementation illustrated, theconstant force spring 36 can be a flat spring with is face oriented along a substantially vertical axis. - Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary ink
stick feed channel 28 includes the feedchannel guide rail 54 that interacts with an inkstick guide element 56 formed in the lower portion of the ink stick body to guide theink stick 30 along the length of thefeed channel 28. An upper feedchannel guide rail 58 slidingly engages anupper side edge 60 of theink stick 30, to balance and guide the ink stick along the length of thefeed channel 28. The upper feed channel guide rail can be formed as part of thekey plate 26 that covers the feed channel, or as a part of the feed channel body. - A color printer typically uses four colors of ink (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black). Ink sticks30 of each color are delivered through a corresponding individual one of the
feed channels 28. The operator of the printer exercises care to avoid inserting ink sticks of one color into a feed channel for a different color. Ink sticks may be so saturated with color dye that it may be difficult for a printer user to tell by color alone which color is which. Cyan, magenta, and black ink sticks in particular can be difficult to distinguish visually based on color appearance. Thekeyed openings 24 through thekey plate 26 aid the printer user in ensuring that only ink sticks of the proper color are inserted into each feed channel. Each keyed opening 24 of the key plate has a unique perimeter shape. The ink sticks 30 of the color for that feed channel have a perimeter shape corresponding to the shape of the keyed opening. In particular, the ink stick and the keyed opening have substantially identical perimeter shapes, so that the keyed openings and corresponding ink stick shapes exclude from each ink feed channel ink sticks of all colors except the ink sticks of the proper color for that feed channel. - As shown in FIG. 4, the
key plate 26 has an outermajor surface 40 and an innermajor surface 42, separated by a thickness T. The perimeter of the keyed key plate opening 24 in thekey plate 26 has a chamferededge 44 across this thickness T to guide theink stick 30 into thefeed chute 28. The shaped key plate opening 24 has substantially the same perimeter shape through both major surfaces of thekey plate 26, but with a larger perimeter shape at the outermajor surface 40 than at the innermajor surface 42. - The perimeter of the chamfered key plate opening24 at the outer
major surface 40 is substantially the same shape as the perimeter shape of the ink stick to be inserted, but enlarged to easily guide the shapedink stick 30 into the opening. The chamferededge 44 narrows the perimeter of theopening 24 so that at the inner major surface of 42 the key plate, theopening 24 is closer to the size of theink stick 30. The perimeter shape of the key plate opening 24 at the outermajor surface 40 is substantially concentric with the perimeter shape of the key plate opening at the innermajor surface 42. The amount of clearance in thegap 46 between theink stick 30 and the edge of each opening 24 at the inner major surface of the key plate can thus be minimized to complement the various shapes selected to differentiate between the various color ink sticks. The chamfer of theedge 44 is usually between 7.5 to 30 degrees relative to vertical, but preferably about 15 degrees (with “vertical” as the direction perpendicular to themajor surfaces key plate 26 is preferably at least 2.5 mm. - As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and7, a
clearance area 48 provides access between a section of theink stick 30 and the key plate opening 24 to permit removal of the ink stick from the feed channel through thekey plate opening 24. The clearance area has an area that is small relative to either the area encompassed by the key plate opening, or the area encompassed by the perimeter of the ink stick (which may be the same as the area of the top surface of the ink stick). For example, the area of the clearance area is less than ⅛ (12.5%) of the area of the top surface of the ink stick. - In one example illustrated, the key plate opening24 has an outwardly directed
clearance area 48 in at least one section of the opening perimeter. In this example, this outwardly directedclearance area 48 is formed in a keyed opening having a chamferededge 44 around most of the perimeter of the keyed opening, except for one or more sections of the key plate opening perimeter having a non-chamfered straight edge. The chamferededge 44 of the key plate opening perimeter forms at least a majority of the perimeter of thekey plate opening 24. The outwardly directedclearance area 48 forms a small portion of the perimeter of theopening 24. - The non-chamfered or straight edge forming the
clearance area 48 has an angle of 0 degrees relative to vertical (or nearly 0 degrees allowing for some manufacturing draft angle or tolerances), so that it is substantially perpendicular to the outermajor surface 40 and the innermajor surface 42 of thekey plate 26. The enlarged perimeter of theopening 24 at the outermajor surface 40 of thekey plate 26 in the section forming theclearance area 48 thus coincides with the perimeter of theopening 24 at the innermajor surface 42 of thekey plate 26 at that section of the key plate opening. The clearance area formed with the non-chamfered edge in the section of the key plate opening perimeter at the innermajor surface 42 of thekey plate 26 provides a clearance for an ink stick removal tool. - Another portion of the access means for removing the ink stick from the feed channel through the key plate opening24 is an ink stick removal tool. An exemplary ink
stick removal tool 50 having asingle leg 52 is shown in FIG. 7. In an example, theremoval tool leg 52 is substantially straight. Theremoval tool leg 52 is inserted into theclearance area 48 between theink stick 30 and the non-chamfered edge section of theopening 24. In an exemplary implementation, theclearance area 48 is in a section of the key plate opening perimeter that is on the opposite side of the key plate opening from theupper guide rail 58. - To remove an ink stick from the feed channel, the ink stick is positioned in the feed channel directly beneath the key plate opening so that the ink stick is vertically aligned with the key plate opening. The
leg 52 of the ink stick removal tool is inserted through the clearance area until a portion of the removal tool leg, at or near its distal end, is adjacent a portion of the ink stick. In an example, the distal end of the leg is adjacent aside surface 64 of the ink stick. Theinner surface 62 of theremoval tool leg 52, at or near the distal end of the leg, is pressed against theside surface 64 of theink stick 30, pressing theupper edge 60 of the opposite side of the ink stick against another surface, such as the upper feedchannel guide rail 58. The distal end of the ink stickremoval tool leg 52 is configured to engage a portion of the ink stick. For example, theinner surface 62 of the removal tool leg can be roughened to provide enhanced frictional engagement with theink stick 30. As the operator pulls upward on the ink stick removal tool, theinner surface 62 of the removal tool leg frictionally engages the ink stick, so that theink stick 30 can be lifted through thekey plate opening 24. The upper feedchannel guide rail 58 has a low friction surface. As the operator lifts the removal tool with its leg frictionally engaging the side of the ink stick, the opposite side of the ink stick tends to slide against the surface of the upper feed channel guide rail. The operator need not lift the ink stick entirely through the key plate opening 24 using theremoval tool 50. The operator need use the removal tool to lift the ink stick only until a sufficient amount of the ink stick is exposed above thekey plate 26 that the operator can grasp the exposed portion with the operator's fingers, or with another tool. - In another example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
multiple clearance areas 48 are provided in the perimeter of thekey plate opening 24. With a key plate opening 24 having a chamferededge 44, each clearance area is formed by providing a section of the perimeter of the key plate opening with a non-chamfered straight edge. In the particular example shown, two clearance areas are formed, one each on opposite sides of the key plate opening. Such an arrangement allows use of an inkstick removal tool 50 having two elongate portions orlegs 52. One leg of the removal tool is inserted into each clearance area. The legs are pressed toward one another so that they grip the ink stick between them, at or near the distal ends of the legs. With an adequate grip of the ink stick between the legs of the removal tool, lifting the removal tool lifts the ink stick through thekey plate opening 24. A small section of the upper feed channel rail 58 (see FIG. 4) may be omitted to accommodate the second clearance area in feed channels that have such an upper feed channel guide rail. The twolegs 52 of the removal tool may be separate elements that the operator manipulates separately, or they may be joined at their proximal ends (opposite the distal ends). After considering the following material, those skilled in the art will recognize appropriate arrangements for either joining the two legs, or having them separate. - In some instances, the perimeter edge of the key plate opening24 is formed with a straight (non-chamfered) edge around the entire perimeter. In such an instance, as illustrated in FIG. 10, one or more clearance areas are provided by outwardly projecting relief areas, each in a section of the perimeter of the key plate opening. In most such instances, the sections of the perimeter forming the clearance areas are small relative to the perimeter, to minimize the impact of the clearance areas on the keying function provided by the perimeter shape of the
key plate opening 24. The perimeter shape of the ink stick itself does not include projections corresponding to the clearance areas. Although FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 show rectangular clearance areas, after reading the present description, those skilled in the art will recognize that the clearance areas can be provided with other shapes. For example, the clearance areas may be triangular or semi-circular. The cross section of thelegs 52 of the removal tool (see FIGS. 7 and 9) can be shaped to match the shape of theclearance areas 48. - In another example shown in FIG. 11, the
clearance areas 48 providing access between the ink stick and the key plate opening need not be positioned directly opposite one another. In the example shown, the clearance areas are positioned diagonally opposite one another. However, other combinations of positions can also be used. - In yet another example shown in FIG. 12, the
clearance areas 48 that provide access between the ink stick and the key plate opening can be formed by indentations in the lateral perimeter shape of the ink stick body. Although an example having two clearance areas directly opposite one another, those skilled in the art will, after studying the present disclosure, recognize that other positions of the clearance areas can be used. In addition, different numbers of clearance areas (such as one) can also be used. - Ink sticks have different shapes, and the distal ends of the
legs 52 of the ink stick removal tool can have different shapes for engaging the ink stick. FIGS. 13-17 show simplifiedexemplary feed channels 28 with substantially flat bottom surfaces on which substantially block-shaped ink sticks pass. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various shapes of ink sticks and feed channels exist and can be devised, and that the principles described can be applied to ink stick feed channels and ink sticks with different shapes than those shown here. - FIGS. 13 and 14 show two exemplary configurations for the distal end of a single leg of an ink stick removal tool. FIG. 13 shows a removal tool leg in which the inner surface of the
removal tool leg 52 has a roughened surface formed by protrusions such asridges 66 to grip the side surface of the ink stick. In one example, each protrusion has an angledface 68 directed toward the distal end of the removal tool leg, and astraight face 69, substantially perpendicular to the removal tool leg. The roughened surface of the removal tool leg can also be formed with multiple bumps projecting from the surface of the removal tool leg, by raised lines, or by indented scoring on the leg surface. In yet another example, grit or other roughening material can be applied to the inner surface of the removal tool leg in lieu of theprotrusions 66. - The ink
stick removal tool 50 implementation shown in FIG. 14 includes a projection orfoot 70 at the distal end of theremoval tool leg 52. When the removal tool leg is inserted through theclearance area 48 in the perimeter of the key plate opening 24 into thefeed channel 28, thefoot 70 engages the edge of the bottom surface of the ink stick. The operator then lifts the removal tool to raise the ink stick through the key plate opening. - Using the single leg removal tool shown in either FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, after the operator inserts the
leg 52 of the removal tool through theclearance area 48 and engages the ink stick, the operator pulls upward on the removal tool. Leverage causes the opposite side of the ink stick to engage another surface, such as a surface of the ink stick feed system. For example, the opposite side of the ink stick slidingly engages the upper feedchannel guide rail 58. As noted above, the operator need not lift the ink stick entirely through the key plate opening 24 using theremoval tool 50. The operator need use the removal tool to lift the ink stick only until a sufficient amount of the ink stick is exposed above thekey plate 26 that the operator can grasp the exposed portion with the operator's fingers, or with another tool. - Examples of using ink stick removal tools with multiple legs are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Such multiple legged removal tools are used with a key plate having a clearance area in each of multiple sections of the perimeter of the key plate opening. For example, a removal tool with two
legs 52 is used with a key plate opening having at least two clearance areas in the perimeter of the key plate opening. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the clearance areas in the perimeter of the key plate opening are on opposite sides of the key plate opening. Such positioning permits the two legs, when inserted through the clearance areas and into thefeed channel 28 to be pressed toward one another to grip theink stick 30 between them. In particular, the clearance areas are directly opposite one another across thekey plate opening 24. The distal ends of thelegs 52 are provided with elements for engaging the ink stick, such as protrusions 66 (FIG. 13) or a perpendicular foot 70 (FIG. 16). When the user engages one of the removal tool legs against one side of the ink stick, another side of the ink stick engages the other removal tool leg. - Multiple legged implementations of the ink stick removal tool50 (FIGS. 9, 15, and 16) can have
separate legs 52 that are separately and independently manipulated at their proximal ends by the operator. Alternatively, the proximal ends of thelegs 52 are joined together to provide a unitary removal tool that the operator can easily manipulate with one hand. An example of joinedremoval tool legs 52 is shown in FIG. 17. The proximal ends of thelegs 52 are shaped toward one another and joined together at aconnection 72. In one example, thelegs 52 are curved toward one another and merged into acommon trunk 74. Thetrunk 74 andlegs 52 are formed of a resilient rigid material, such as a metal or a rigid plastic, so that the legs can be pressed toward one another to grip the ink stick. When the operator applies pressure to the outer surfaces of thelegs 52, the distal ends of the legs move toward one another. Ideally, when the operator releases the pressure from the outer surfaces of the legs, the distal ends of the legs return to their original positions, releasing the ink stick. After studying the present description, those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms are available to join and manipulate the legs of the removal tool. For example, the connection between the legs may be a mechanical connection such as a hinge. In addition, mechanical mechanisms can be used to move the legs toward and/or away from one another. For example, a mechanical clamp may be incorporated to selectively apply pressure to the outer surfaces of the legs, or a mechanism placed between the legs may draw the legs toward one another. Yet another example of a gripping mechanism for the distal end of each leg is shown in FIG. 17.Rounded bumps 76 on the inner surface of the distal ends of the legs help to grip the ink stick when thelegs 52 are pressed against the ink stick - The ink
stick removal tool 50 can have more than two legs, as shown in the example of FIG. 18. This exemplary ink stick removal tool has 3legs 52 attached to an upper T-frame trunk 74. A first leg is opposite a second leg to grip opposite sides of an ink stick. A third leg is oriented to engage a surface of the ink stick perpendicular to the sides gripped by the first and second legs. The legs fit through clearance areas between the ink stick and the perimeter of the key plate opening to surround the ink stick. Those skilled in the art recognize that some ink sticks have perimeter shapes that are significantly non-rectangular. For example, the perimeter shape may be triangular, circular, or some other shape. Multiple legged removal tools for such non-rectangular ink sticks may have legs arranged to accommodate the perimeter shape of the ink stick. For example, a removal tool for a triangular or circular ink stick may have three legs arranged at 120-degree intervals. After reading the present descriptions, those skilled in the art will identify arrangements appropriate for other ink stick shapes. - Ink sticks can also be removed from the
feed channel 28 through the key plate opening 24 by inserting the distal end of aremoval tool leg 52 into the ink stick so that there is sufficient frictional engagement between the removal tool leg and the ink stick that when the removal tool is lifted, the ink stick rises with the removal tool leg. Referring, for example, to FIG. 19, aremoval tool 50 may have asingle leg 52 provided with a pointed distal end, so that pressing the removal tool longitudinally against the top surface of theink stick 30 causes the removal tool leg to penetrate the ink stick. Theink stick 30 may include a relief area for receiving and engaging the ink stick removal tool. For example, a small blind cavity or a through cavity or hole 77 can be included in the ink stick to facilitate ink stick removal by serving as a friction engagement feature for the top surface penetration removal tool. The cavity 77 can extend through at least one surface of the ink stick body. The cavity may extend through only a portion of the ink stick body, or it can extend through the entire thickness of the ink stick body. In an alternative, the cavity may be a void entirely internal to the ink stick body, not extending through any of the surfaces of the ink stick. Operator instructions may inform the machine operator into which portion of the ink stick body the removal tool should be inserted. Or, a score or other surface marking on the surface of the ink stick may identify the location of the internal void. Surface roughening elements, such as grit, scoring, or projections on the surface of the distal end of the removal tool leg provide additional friction between the removal tool engagement surface and the ink stick. The projections may completely encircle the removal tool leg, or they may encompass only a portion of the circumference of the removal tool leg. In addition,spiral projections 78 along the removal tool leg allow the operator to screw theremoval tool leg 52 into the ink stick. After the operator has inserted the removal tool leg into the ink stick, the operator lifts the removal tool upward. The frictional engagement between the removal tool leg and the ink stick causes the ink stick to rise with the removal tool. Theremoval tool leg 52 may have any of several cross-sectional shapes, including circular, rectangular, square, triangular, etc. - While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims (29)
Priority Applications (3)
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US10/368,808 US6929360B2 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-02-14 | Printer solid ink stick removal access feature |
JP2004031646A JP2004243769A (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2004-02-09 | Characteristics of solid ink stick removal from printer |
EP04250775.6A EP1447225B1 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2004-02-12 | Key plate assembly |
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US10/368,808 US6929360B2 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-02-14 | Printer solid ink stick removal access feature |
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US20040160498A1 true US20040160498A1 (en) | 2004-08-19 |
US6929360B2 US6929360B2 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
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US10/368,808 Expired - Fee Related US6929360B2 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-02-14 | Printer solid ink stick removal access feature |
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EP (1) | EP1447225B1 (en) |
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Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20080117266A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink for cooperation with melt head in a printer |
US20080117267A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink in a printer |
US20080117272A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Printer solid ink transport and method |
US20080117265A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Guide for printer solid ink transport and method |
US20080117264A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Solid ink stick features for printer ink transport and method |
US7887173B2 (en) | 2008-01-18 | 2011-02-15 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system having multiple moving forces for solid ink delivery in a printer |
US7976118B2 (en) | 2007-10-22 | 2011-07-12 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for providing a continuous supply of solid ink to a melting assembly in a printer |
US8240830B2 (en) | 2010-03-10 | 2012-08-14 | Xerox Corporation | No spill, feed controlled removable container for delivering pelletized substances |
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US7878636B2 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2011-02-01 | Xerox Corporation | Solid ink stick chute for printer solid ink transport with mating solid ink stick chute |
US7726798B2 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2010-06-01 | Xerox Corporation | Printer solid ink transport and method |
US8366255B2 (en) | 2010-06-02 | 2013-02-05 | Xerox Corporation | Solid ink stick with retrieval feature |
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US5510821A (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1996-04-23 | Tektronix, Inc. | Solid ink stick |
US6056394A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 2000-05-02 | Tektronix, Inc. | Solid ink stick feed system |
US6530655B2 (en) * | 2001-05-31 | 2003-03-11 | Xerox Corporation | Drip plate design for a solid ink printer |
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US5455604A (en) | 1991-04-29 | 1995-10-03 | Tektronix, Inc. | Ink jet printer architecture and method |
US5805191A (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1998-09-08 | Tektronix, Inc. | Intermediate transfer surface application system |
US5861903A (en) | 1996-03-07 | 1999-01-19 | Tektronix, Inc. | Ink feed system |
-
2003
- 2003-02-14 US US10/368,808 patent/US6929360B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-02-09 JP JP2004031646A patent/JP2004243769A/en active Pending
- 2004-02-12 EP EP04250775.6A patent/EP1447225B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US5510821A (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1996-04-23 | Tektronix, Inc. | Solid ink stick |
US5510821B1 (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 2000-05-02 | Tektronix Inc | Solid ink stick |
US6056394A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 2000-05-02 | Tektronix, Inc. | Solid ink stick feed system |
US6530655B2 (en) * | 2001-05-31 | 2003-03-11 | Xerox Corporation | Drip plate design for a solid ink printer |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7794072B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2010-09-14 | Xerox Corporation | Guide for printer solid ink transport and method |
US20080117267A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink in a printer |
US20080117272A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Printer solid ink transport and method |
US20080117265A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Guide for printer solid ink transport and method |
US20080117264A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Solid ink stick features for printer ink transport and method |
US7651210B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2010-01-26 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink for cooperation with melt head in a printer |
US20080117266A1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink for cooperation with melt head in a printer |
US7798624B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2010-09-21 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for solid ink in a printer |
US7883195B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2011-02-08 | Xerox Corporation | Solid ink stick features for printer ink transport and method |
US7976144B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2011-07-12 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for delivering solid ink sticks to a melting device through a non-linear guide |
US7976118B2 (en) | 2007-10-22 | 2011-07-12 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system for providing a continuous supply of solid ink to a melting assembly in a printer |
US7887173B2 (en) | 2008-01-18 | 2011-02-15 | Xerox Corporation | Transport system having multiple moving forces for solid ink delivery in a printer |
US8240830B2 (en) | 2010-03-10 | 2012-08-14 | Xerox Corporation | No spill, feed controlled removable container for delivering pelletized substances |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1447225B1 (en) | 2016-08-24 |
EP1447225A1 (en) | 2004-08-18 |
US6929360B2 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
JP2004243769A (en) | 2004-09-02 |
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